Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweal’s chance of clinching the top job of the World Trade Organization became brighter following the withdrawal of South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee
Yoo made the decision after discussions with the U.S. and other major nations, and took various issues into account “comprehensively” including the need to revitalize the multilateral organization, according to a statement from Korea’s trade ministry on Friday.
The withdrawal comes after dozens of former U.S. government officials urged President Joe Biden to endorse Okonjo-Iweala after the Trump administration blocked her selection. The opposition halted the selection process because WTO decisions are made on the basis of a consensus of its members.
The Nigerian economist, who is also a U.S. citizen, emerged as the front-runner for the WTO director-general post last year. The U.S. has been the only country to oppose her.
